Boston-Power Inc, a Massachusetts-based company which has 6 Sigma-level mass manufacturing operations in China, today announced HP as first customer to offer its next generation notebook computer battery in a company’s press release.

The Boston-Power’s next-generation Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cell, named Sonata, will be able to keep 80 percent of their initial charge after three years of use.

Typically laptop battery time starts to drop significantly after around 150 charges while Boston-Power’s batteries can be charged 1,000 times and get “like new” performance, according to the company.

In early 2009, HP Enviro laptop series will first boast the Sonata batteries that come with a three-year warranty — the longest battery warranty available from any provider.

Sonata batteries are manufactured with no use of PVC plastic or heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, or mercury to ensure environmental friendly. Moreover, by lasting for three years, the batteries are “more environmentally sustainable and economical,” said Christina Lampe-Onnerud, founder and CEO of Boston Power.

Sonata-powered batteries are designed to be used with existing HP laptops so that (HP) customers with compatible models can purchase the batteries to replace their existing ones with no system changes required. However, an HP representative said that the Sonata batteries will cost between $20 and $30 more than traditional batteries.

Boston Power is also in discussions with other computer manufacturers to provide Sonata technology powered batteries and plans to release a portable model for cell phones or other gadgets. The auto battery market will be its next target, according to Lampe-Onnerud.